Well after having my 15%, open pilo intake with the back wall cut out, and a MyMini exhaust I think I just may need to return to stock. Even though others say I shouldn't be experiencing a lot of drone or noise I sure am. Put your foot 1/4 in at 3000rpm and the whole cabin is filled with BAHHHHH.

Normally this is fine, I actually really enjoy all the extra noise during the week. But then I drive 200 miles on the highway and kind of regret all the noise. Do you think I will miss the extra noise and performance of going back to stock?

 

You might check the instalation of the exhaust to make sure it's not vibrating against anything and is tightly secured.

 

Just go with a stock airbox first. No sense in changing the exhaust if the airbox solves your problem.

 

Yes you will hate it...if you DO, keep the parts until you are sure that you like stock more. And it sounds like the exhaust is the only thing bothering you....so why would you change the pulley and intake? I bet you will hate your MINI's performance after returning it to stock....it's slowwwwwww.

-Cody

 

Milltek.......

 

Does the Mymini exhaust have a resonator? If not, that would help, probably a lot. You could use the stock one if you didn't mine cutting the stock exhaust pipe. My Cooper has a Mymini touring exhaust with resonator, and there is zero resonance and just enough noise.

 

I wouldn't ever consider removing the pulley, it is just too good. I was mostly thinking about the intake/exhaust.

The exhaust is tight and does have a resonator. I remember the exhaust wasn't as bad before the intake (had the exhaust first). The intake definitely made things louder. I am wondering if I should go back to the stock exhaust and then a Dinan or JCW intake.

I was also thinking about adding the GIAC software, but if I take the exhaust off it probably won't be as effective or usable right?

 

Milltek + JCW box would sound sweeeeet and no highway BAAAHHH.

 

I am running Miltex exhaust (Hi flow resonator) and Mini Madness Intake kit with very little highway BAAAAAAAHHH. The exhaust sound is deeper but not over bearing. I can still hold a normal conversion with someone cruising at 90-100 mph.

 

Sorry, I'm not so sure I agree, that's exactly the set up I've got right now. For the most part I can live with the sound but occasionally the resonance from the Milltek is hard to deal with. With the tunes turned up it's not quite as noticeable but with other people in the car it's sometimes a bit much. Still, I'm not ready to give it up unless I could get something with similar performance. I didn't notice any difference when I put on the JCW air box, noise or performance.

 

Yes I have to agree, Milltek.

 

Milltek is by far the most popular choice and the reason i like it is that the car sounds like a "sports car" whatever that is..... it is slightly louder..... (some people find it objectionable) but for me it is really perfect for sound..... I listened to a lot of exhausts as at meets I always ask to hear a car and I still like the Milltek..... that being said it is way too tame for some people (MSFITOY )

 

I have been researching the Milltek but believe people like GT6 that it will still be a little too much. Most say the exhaust I have now doesn't drone at all, but there's no fooling these ears. That must be because I am young and can still hear.

Does the JCW box really not show much improvement? Decisions decisions....

On the other hand I am downsizing from running 17's runflats in the winter regular in the summer to 15s winter and 16s summer, this might make up for the difference.

 

i had no such noise with my 15%, pilo (before), +Milltek.

as posted above, i think its your exhaust or exhaust install issue.

 

I'm running the Milltek cat back and a Helix CAI. One of my criteria for the exhaust was that it not add drone on the highway. The Milltek is puuurfect.

 

JCW CAI has the same sound quality as stock up to 4500rpm, above this the eletronicaly governed flap opens and you may be able to hear the sc noise. I don't consider the additional noise objectionable as I don't trespass into the high rpm band frequently.

 

How old is the exhaust? It should mellow with some miles on it, no?

 

The exhaust has about 5000 miles on it now. Could it be the difference in gearing between the earlier and later cars?

I also reused the original exhaust studs instead of replacing them with stainless hardware, and also reused the old gasket. I have a new gasket and bolts waiting to go in. Once I have a chance I think I will try and fool around with it some more. Anyone else in the N. NJ area with an aftermarket exhaust?

I was coming home through the east coast downpour this evening. I was going through Waterbury CT on 84W. There is a section here that is a two level bridge, upper to go E and lower to go W. I am on the lower, essentially like being in a parking garage and had the sunroof open. I was in the left lane where there are left exits. Someone in front of me slowed down to take a left exit leaving the highway completely open ahead, downshifted and wound out 2nd and 3rd....it sounded SO GOOD. AHHHH.....the saga continues.

 

how about getting some sound deadening at the doors, below the back seat and in the boot area?

 

it could be several things... even as easy as the exhaust tip rubbing
the rear bumper at certain frequency resonance.

but the drone could be coming from the design of the exhaust
itself. can you adjust the length like on the Milltek exhaust?
you can change the pitch by changing lenghts.

 

I Agrree... I installed my Milltek a few months ago... lately I have been growing weary of the sound. I thought it was getting too loud for cruising.. so I checked under the car.
I jacked it up and found that the muffler was making contact with the underbody. It was laying against the heatshield which was ontop of some bracket. I re-installed the system with the same results...
I ended up having to shim some of the inner brackets to give me 3/8" more clearance around the contact point...Now I have no resonance and its quieter on the Hwy...
I still have the nice low tone and rumble... but its about near stock on the Hwy...
The intake still makes more noise.... but only when I put my foot in it, JCW intake.
The noise from up front is high pitched whine.. whiich is not at all objectionable.

 

If an exhaust sounds good in Waterbury, then it must be a good exhaust (generally the urban blight overpowers all other senses!).

 

I am definitely going to check it out on a lift over this next week, when I replace the gasket and bolts I will fool around with the adjustment a little more. I am pretty sure it is not rubbing, I already adjusted it two weeks ago. It's just a nice little resonance at 3000rpm, 200rpm above or below that and its fine.

I already sound deadened the doors, under the rear seat, and the rear hatch. I have yet to remove the rear seats, panels, etc. to do the boot floor and behind the side panels. I guess that may be next.

I took another 200 mile trip today, into upstate NY east of the Hudson. Blew up and down the Saw Mill and Taconic parkways with the sunroof open the whole time....soooo nicccee. Which gave me the idea of another cheaper solution....ear plugs or headphones? I don't know if there is some illegality there though. Anyone know?